As Llorkh prospered on Zhentish caravans, Geildarr grew very, very rich, multiplying his fortune several times.[5] He used some of his wealth to hire adventurers to explore the Greypeak Mountains, particularly to loot Netherese ruins. He sought lost magic that would either improve his status among the Zhentarim or boost the strength of his army.[5][8] He hastened to turn Llorkh into a Zhentish stronghold, having his Zhentilar and Lord's Men build defenses.[6][8] His ultimate goal was to dominate trade routes across the North and up and down the Sword Coast North. To this end, the town of Llorkh had been selected as the Zhentarim's foothold in the North, thanks to its distance from the rival powers of Silverymoon and Waterdeep.[2][7]

Ostensibly, Geildarr was advised by the priest Mythkar Leng. In truth, Mythkar was his superior and he kept Geildarr in line and pursuing the Zhentarim's plans for the North. In this, Mythkar was aided by the beholderRakaxalorth.[2][7]

Geildarr commanded both the Zhentilar soldiers that frequented the town and the army of four hundred, purple-cloaked Lord's Men that "protected" the city from those who did not appreciate the rule of the Black Network. The Lord's Men enforced Geildarr's will and protected the unpopular lord against adventurers and insurgent townsfolk.[1][2][5][4][6][8][9]

A man of high intellect and charisma but little wisdom, Geildarr was still a young and ambitious Zhentarim mageling by the mid-1360s DR. He had the grand aspiration of commanding the whole Black Network one day.[3]

Around 1357 DR, it was furtively rumored in Llorkh that Lord Geildarr was a member of the Zhentarim.[1] This was in fact completely true[2][3][7][6] and all doubt was erased with the overt Zhentish dominance by 1372 DR.[9]

Lord Geildarr was uncertain if the name of the Wet Wizard tavern was a mocking reference to him or not.[3][8]

↑All 2nd-edition sources state Geildarr is a 7th-level wizard, except Volo's Guide to the North and Ruins of Zhentil Keep, which make him an 8th-level wizard, even though later sources make him 7th level again.